Plan To Tackle Teacher Morale

School Chief Makes Proposals

MIDDLETOWN — Superintendent Michael Frechette's prescription for boosting teacher morale includes better communication, increased support and a program to recognize top teachers.

Frechette presented his plan to the school board Tuesday night. It comes two weeks after the board directed him to devise ways to stem decreasing morale. A recent survey showed broad dissatisfaction with Frechette and some of his aides; 68 percent of the district's teachers said they have considered leaving Middletown for a job with another school system.

To turn the situation around, Frechette has come up with an eight-page plan. Among his proposals:

*Reviewing the district's hiring practices and attendance policy with teachers.

"I view this as a starting point," said board Chairman Ted Raczka. "I do want to commend Michael on his efforts. ... [This] is something we can refine and improve."

The public will be able to comment on Frechette's draft plan at the board's Jan. 8 meeting; Raczka said he is eager to hear the public's opinion. The plan will be posted on the district's website, www.middletownschools.org.

Ann Lohrand, president of the Middletown Federation of Teachers, said she wanted to review the proposal before commenting.

But earlier in the evening, Lohrand told the board that a perception that the low morale is due to the pressures brought on by federal and state school accountability measures is wrong. Low morale "has little to do with No Child Left Behind," she told the board and an audience that included state education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan.